Ban Zhao (49?-120?) is an ancient Chinese beauty, daughter of historian Ban Biao, historian Ban Gu and Ban Chao's younger sister. They are all the great Han historians. In order to complete the Book "History of Han Dynasty," Ban Gu asks Ban Zhao to marry one of his pupils, Cao Shou. However, Cao Shou feels so lonely even in his honeymoon that he leaves for the Palace. After her brothers' death Ban Zhao is entrusted to continue his unfinished book with the help of Ban Gu's oldest pupil Ma Xu who is always honest and kind-hearted, but Ma Xu finally leaves, as it will be a gossip if he keeps staying while Cao Shou is not at home. One day Cao Shou suddenly returns home, meanwhile the emperor orders him to guard the newly died Grand Empress, Cao Shou jumps into the river with his brilliance and excellences. After suffering the death of her husband and departure of her best friend, Ban Zhao finally finishes the great book with Ma Xu's help, that is the first dynastic history book.

This opera depicts that Ban Zhao commits herself to writing the book despite of the misfortunes she suffers in her life, commending the Chinese intellectuals’ responsibilities for culture with their persisting and dedication to literature.

This drama is one of plays belong to China National Project to the Distillation of the Stage Art actualized by the Ministry of Culture of PRC and the Ministry of Finance of PRC. This drama won the Tenth "Wenhua Award of the Ministry of Culture of PRC and so on.